Cut to the Chase provides a platform for news, events, reviews and debates involving cinema, both mainstream and independent. There is an emphasis on exploring the depths of films by reporting on recent developments regarding current projects in Hollywood. This blog is a one-stop source for everything involving movies, and why we love them.

‘Transformers’ star criticizes own films, Steven Spielberg

Tinseltown hasn’t exactly been the model for sincerity or openness when actors and directors are frustrated with their own work. Paychecks often mute the truth. Chevy Chase summed it up more simply at the 1988 Academy Awards when he called everyone “Hollywood phonies.” Simply put, there’s no reason to be frank with the big-wigs when the financial risks will outweigh the benefits.

Shia LaBeouf bent the rules this past week. The 23-year-old actor, who starred in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, openly criticized the two blockbusters, including the directors, creative staff, and most surprising, himself.

LeBeouf earned A-list status with the help of directors Michael Bay and Steven Spielberg, the two filmmakers responsible for the actor’s most recognizable films. Bay directed both Transformers movies, while Spielberg helmed Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Spielberg is also an executive producer for the Transformers franchise.

The Indiana Jones sequel screened in May 2008, and the second Transformers movie arrived the following summer. Both flicks combined to gross more than $1.5 billion worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo. Not bad, eh?

According to LeBeouf, money isn’t everything. Despite solid box office receipts in back-to-back summer seasons, the actor is far from impressed with the execution of both sequels. That’s not a typo. A 23-year-old “kid” actor essentially spoke out against Spielberg’s work as a filmmaker and producer. Now there’s something you don’t see everyday.

LeBeouf was critical of the films during his stay at the Cannes Film Festival, where he was promoting his newest film, Oliver Stone’s Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps.Steven Zeitchik of the Los Angeles Times broke the exclusive with the following from LeBeouf on Indy 4:

“I think the audience is pretty intelligent. I think they know when you’ve made [slop]. And I think if you don’t acknowledge it, then why do they trust you the next time you’re promoting a movie,” LeBeouf said.

“We [Harrison Ford and LaBeouf] had major discussions. He wasn’t happy with it either. Look, the movie could have been updated. There was a reason it wasn’t universally accepted.”

LaBeouf added, “We need to be able to satiate the appetite. I think we just misinterpreted what we were trying to satiate.”

“I feel like I dropped the ball on the legacy that people loved and cherished.”

I’m not sure which is more shocking – calling out one of the greatest directors in history or taking the blame for a poor performance. I’m on the fence for now. Nonetheless, LeBeouf is either incredibly courageous or incredibly stupid for making the comments. Perhaps he’s both, and it’s just a matter of time before he makes or breaks his star status.

LeBeouf failed to recoil his views on Bay’s creative vision, which is less surprising considering the director’s filmography. However, Bay and LeBeouf have developed a strong relationship since they started filming the epic robot flicks four years ago, and recent comments could make their bond a bit frosty. Here’s his take on the Transformers sequel, via David Germain of the Huffington Post:

“When I saw the second movie, I wasn’t impressed with what we did,” LaBeouf said. “There were some really wild stunts in it, but the heart was gone.”

On the second movie, “we got lost. We tried to get bigger. It’s what happens to sequels. It’s like, how do you top the first one? You’ve got to go bigger,” LaBeouf said.

“Michael [Bay] went so big that it became too big, and I think you lost the anchor of the movie. You lost a bit of the relationships. Unless you have those relationships, then the movie doesn’t matter. Then it’s just a bunch of robots fighting each other.”

I’m not quite sure how LeBeouf’s comments will resonate once he returns to work with Bay and Spielberg. It’s unlikely the criticism will create a permanent friction between all parties, considering how much money they’ve racked up. But one thing is for sure, LeBeouf has gained a lot more credibility and respect with fans of both franchises with his gutsy move. There’s nothing more refreshing than a humbled actor responding to his subpar performances with his own scrutiny.

Most fans were disappointed with the films, even if the box office numbers don’t resemble that notion. LeBeouf is carefully considerate of how audiences feel when they react to the stories, even if it’s bogged down in CGI effects and massive explosions.

The actor is at a turning point in his career right now, where he’s starting to move on with more serious projects, including the sequel to Stone’s 1987 classic, Wall Street. He’s bound to make millions of dollars in 2010, and we’ll see where the money and fame takes him.

In the end, we now know there’s at least one honest man working in Hollywood.

How do you feel about Shia LeBeouf’s comments? Did you enjoy Indiana Jones 4 or Transformers 2?